AMP Supports the Creation of a National Immunization Technical Advisory Group in Cote d’Ivoire

January 25, 2010

PARIS, January 25 /PRNewswire/ — On January 15, the Minister of Health
and Hygiene of Cote d’Ivoire, Dr.
Remi Allah Kouadio, presided over a
ceremony to mark the launch of a National Immunization Technical Advisory
Group (NITAG) named “Cote d’Ivoire National Committee of Independent Experts
for Vaccination and Vaccines” (Comite National d’Experts Independants pour la
Vaccination et les Vaccins de la Cote d’Ivoire, CNEIV-CI).

The NITAG was created following recommendations from the World Health
Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to
strengthen national capacity for evidence-based policy decisions with regard
to immunization and vaccines.

Cote d’Ivoire is the first GAVI-eligible country in sub-Saharan Africa to
set up such a committee. It was established with the support of the SIVAC
(Supporting Independent Immunization and Vaccine Advisory Committees)
Initiative, implemented by the Agence de Medecine Preventive (AMP) in
partnership with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI). The initiative,
which is funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to
support the creation or strengthening of sustainable NITAGs in GAVI-eligible
and middle-income countries.

The NITAG’s role is to advise the Ministry of Health in Cote d’Ivoire on
all topics related to vaccines and immunizations. This includes, for example:
vaccination policies and strategies, introduction of vaccines, prioritization
of new vaccines, revision of vaccine schedules, and immunization coverage.

The committee is composed of three types of members: independent national
experts from a wide range of disciplines (core members), representatives from
state agencies (ex-officio members), and representatives from partner
institutions (WHO, UNICEF, AMP). Only the first group is allowed to vote.

The committee is co-chaired by Janine Tagliante-Saracino, professor of
public health, and Emmanuel Bissagnene, professor of infectious diseases. The
National Institute for Public Hygiene (Institut National d’Hygiene Publique,
INHP) will act as the scientific and technical secretariat of the committee.

“SIVAC will now establish a multi-year agreement with the INHP to provide
technical and scientific support to ensure that the committee will be able to
make evidence-based recommendations on a sustainable basis,” said
Kamel
Senouci, SIVAC director.